Saxophone and clarinet mouthpiece



Sept. 11, 1923.

J. J. BABBlTT SAXOPHONE AND CLARINET MOUTHPIBCE Filed Sept. 5. 1922 Patented Sept. 11, 1923.

UNITED STATES JESSE J. lBABBITT, or ELKHART, INDIANA.

SAXOPHO E AND cLAnINET Iv OUTI-IPIECE.

Application filed september 5, 1922. Serial No. 586,340.

T all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that 1, Jesse J. BABBITT,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Elkhart, in the county of Elkhart and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Saxophone and Clarinet Mouthpieces; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This. invention relates broadly to an improved rubber mouthpiece for reed musical instruments, and it has more particular reference to one which is especially, but not necessarily, designed for use on a saxophone or clarinet. i

Experience with mouthpiece of this type has disclosed the fact that the web-portion of the lay is subjected to severe pressure due to extreme tightening of the screws of the ligature. After considerableuse, the wehportion of the lay often crushes in wardly to an extent to render the position of the reed defective. It is also to bepointed out here that the continuous stream of warm air from the players mouth has a tendency to soften the rubber, particularly the web of the lay, and the strain subjected thereon bythe pressure from the tight ligature warps the lay transversely. I

It is the object of this invention to over come 'the foregoing circumstances by bracing and reinforcing the intermediate por.- tion of the mouthpiece throughout its circumference at the particular. point mentioned. Hence, even if the ligature is tightened to the greatest possible extent, the lay the mouthpiece will not be affected. Consequently, a single mouthpiece will last a life-time.

More specifically speaking, it is another object of the invention to embed a metallic reinforcing member in a hard rubber mouthpiece at a point where it will brace the webportion of the lay, the position of the reinforcing member being inward of the outer surface of the latter so as to permit resurfacing in the event that this is desired ()ther objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section H through a conventlonal type of saxophone Figures 4:, 5, 6 and 7 are views disclosing slightly modified forms of reinforcing members. I I

Confining attention first to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, itwill beseen that the reference character M designates a conventional type of hard rubber saxophone mouthpiece. For

the purpose of illustration, I have shown a reed R held against the lay or flat lower face of the mouthpiece held by the usual ligature L or reed-holder. The web-portion of the lay of the mouthpiece is, as before intimated, subjected to severe strain and pres- "I sure when the screws of the reed-holder are tightened, and after a time it has been found that this portionof the lay is liable to be crushed or disrupted to an extent to render it defective for further use. Hence, as beforestated, it is. this portion of the lay of the mouthpiece that I contemplate reinforcing and bracing.

Although the mouthpiece could be reinforced in some other way, I prefer to employ a special reinforcing member 1 such as it clearly illustrated in Fig. 3. This member comprises a channel portion 2 anda strap .3 which is connected at its opposite ends to the intermediate portions thereof. If desired, this strap may be provided on its inner face with lugs 4. This type of reinforcing member hasthe oppomteends of the strap soldered or otherwise secured to the channel part. y r

In constructing a mouthpiece of the type disclosed in Fig. 1, the rubber is packed in a mould around a steel core which forms the usual tone chamber and bore which is connected to the neck of the mouth-pipe.

During this molding process, the reinforcing member 1 isembedded in the rubber and the channel part is positioned in the web portion of the lay of the mouthpiece while the strap is disposed in the upper solid part thereof. It may be stated here that the aforesaid lugs l serve to assist in anchoring the reinforcing member in place and prevent displacement during the molding process.

It is to be noted that when the mouthpiece is completed, the channel part 2 of the reinforcing member is embedded. in the webportion l? of the lay at a point which will not interfere with refacing of this portion. It will be remembered that it isoften desirable to vary the distance between the reed and the lay, and in order to accomplish this result. the latter must be refaced. Hence, by emheiflding the reinforcing member inward of the surface of the lay, this adjustment can be made without interference of the reinforcing member. It is to be further noted thatnot only is the webportion of the lay reinfrn-ccil, but the entire upper portion of the mouthpiece is made more rigid throughout its entire circumference and it is practically impossible to crush the mouthpiece regardle of the degree of tightening. of the ligature.

\Vhile the type of reinforcing member described is preferable. it is understood that the desired result can be accomplished by employing different forms of reinforcing members, and althougl mi not essential to embed these members in the rubber, this method of practicing the invention is preferred. So tiat an. idea may be obtained of different forms of reinforcing members capable of effective use, I have shown several. modified types and l direct attention at this time to Fig. at wherein the reinforcing member 1 comprises a channehshaped part 2 having a centrally disposed integral strap or band 8. y

Coming now to Fig. 5, it will be seen that the reinforcing member 1 comprises a metallic sleeve 5 having the upper half of its ends cut off as at 6 to provide a relatively narrow part 3 corresponding to the aforesaid strap.

The reinforcing member disclosed in F 6 and referred to by the reference ,cl'iaracter 1 likewise comprises a metal sleeve 5 which simply has the upper portion of one of its ends cut off as indicated at 6. From the foregoing, it is evident that reinforcing members of substantial tubular formation may be employed to obtain effective results Also, I Wish to disclose the fact that, as shown in Fig. 7, a reinforcing member 1 in the form of a coiled spring 7 may be em ployed, this being embedded in the central portion of the mouthpiece at the point disclosed. Although it is not essential, all of the reinforcing members will be preferably composed of brass and all of them will be such in construction as to brace and reinforce the mouthpiece throughout the entire circumference at the particular point mentioned It is clearly obvious from the foregoing description that the invention is not to be restricted to the embedding of the reinforcing member within the mouthpiece, for in actual practice, it may be associated therewith in some other manner.

The manner of assembling or construct.in;- the new type of mouthpiece is now evident and the various types of reinforcing members have been clearly described. S' no the advantages are clear, it is thought unnecessary to enter a more lengthy description.

Since probably the best results may he obtained with the constriujztion and arrange ment herein shown and described, this is taken as the preferred embodiment of the invention. However, I wish it to be under-- stood that minor changes coming within the scope of the invention as claimed may be resorted to if desired.

lVhat is claimed is:

1. A hard rubber mouthpiece for reed instruments having a reinforcing member em bedded in the web-portion of its lay. said member being disposed inward of the flat undersurface to permit refacing of the lay.

2. A mouthpiece for reed musical instruments comprising a comparatively short cylindrical reinforcing member, and a hard rubber mouthpiece molded around said memher and extending beyond it in rmposite directions, said mouthpiece being formed with the usual air passage and flattened lay having an opening communicating with said air passage, said reinforcing member being 6111-- bedded in the mouthpiece at a point between the opening in the lay and the outer end of said mouthpiece.

3. The structure set forth in claim 2. wherein said reinforcing member is disposed inward of the flat outer face of the lay to permit refacing of the latter.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

JESSE J. BABBITT. 

